Monday, December 31, 2012

Yoga Teacher Training Courses in 2013

Wise Living Yoga Academy is happy to announce different levels of Yoga Teacher Training Courses which will take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand - Bali, Indonesia & Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Only old students (those who have completed successfully a 200 hours Course with Wise Living Yoga Academy) can directly apply for the Advanced 300 hours Teacher Training. But anyone can apply for the Advanced 500 hours Teacher Training by attending first a 200 hours and then completing the next 300 hours in the subsequent weeks or according to our calendar of courses.

Please check below all scheduled programs for the year of 2013 and the respective deadlines for registration if you want to pay less by availing of our early bird discounted fees:


Yoga Teacher Training Courses in 2013
200 Hours Certification Programs
Minas Gerais, Brazil January-February 2013
Staying at Antigo Mosteiro Serra Clara
(Course Completed Successfuly) Photo Album
Chiang Mai, Thailand1st Batch: From 5th May to 31st May 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand2nd Batch: From 9th June to 5th July 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand3rd Batch: From 14th July to 9th Aug 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Bali, IndonesiaFrom 29th Sep to 24th Oct 2013
Staying at Shanti Loka Resort, Lovina Beach, Bali

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand4th Batch: From 27th Oct to 22nd Nov 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand5th Batch: From 1st Dec to 27th Dec 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)


Yoga Teacher Training Courses in 2013
Advanced 300 Hours Certification Programs

Only for old students - those who have completed successfully
a 200 hours Course with Wise Living Yoga Academy


Chiang Mai, Thailand1st Batch: From 2nd June to 19th July 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand2nd Batch: From 11th August to 27th Sep 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand3rd Batch: From 24th Nov to 10th Jan 2014
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)


Yoga Teacher Training Courses in 2013
Advanced 500 Hours Certification Programs

Anyone can apply for the 500 hours Teacher Training by attending first a
200 hours and then completing the next 300 hours in the subsequent weeks


Chiang Mai, Thailand1st Batch: From 5th May to 19th July 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand2nd Batch: From 14th July to 27th Sep 2013
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)
Chiang Mai, Thailand3rd Batch: From 27th Oct to 10th Jan 2014
Staying at Wise Living Yoga Center (Doi Saket) - Chiang Mai, Thailand

(Registration Open)



______________________________________________________________________
- Fees include Accommodation, Meals & Course Material as mentioned above.
- Please fill in the application form and make on-line payment to reserve your place*.
Book your place and enjoy discounted fee - Pay booking fee USD 400 in advance.
- Fees DO NOT include Flight Tickets.

(*) Only 18 places available in each program or according to the venue's capability.

Apply Now for Yoga TTC

Or Learn more about us:


Wise Living Yoga Academy is authorized to impart Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the tradition of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India – the world’s oldest organized Yoga Institution. The residential programs are held regularly in Bali (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) & Minas Gerais (Brazil) throughout the year and are accredited by the Yoga Alliance USA, allowing the graduates to teach Yoga in any part of the world.

Our Advanced 300 & 500 hours Yoga Teacher Training Courses will be conducted regularly in our new permanent Yoga Center in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand.


Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2013:



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Are You Following Yoga? (Words of the Master)

A considerable amount of confusion seems to prevail in the minds of many who come to this Institute (The Yoga Institute of Santacruz) for the study of Yoga. Unless such persons help themselves to remove many inhibitions, there is little scope for them to realize true Yoga.

When one wants to study Yoga, it is not for him to decide what is Yoga. 

Shri Yogendraji - Founder of The Yoga Institute
of Santacruz, Mumbai - India
First, many already hold preconceived notions incompatible with genuine Yoga which they are incapable of modifying in spite of all proof to the contrary.  Second, there is something like craze or greed to know more and more practices without appropriate habituation to what has already been learnt under conditions required by Yoga. Third, there is confusion in the mind of many who suffer from distractions and inhibitions common to the modern life and who remain subconsciously unwilling to follow Yoga under the requirements of its study.  Fourth, all are in a hurry to get all knowledge about Yoga in the shortest possible time from any place or teacher without finding out whether they have absorbed the true spirit of Yoga in their day-to-day behavior.  Each day their knowledge of Yoga and the practice of Yoga make for a wide gap which they are never able to fill up. Fifth, tagging Yoga as mere knowledge without its personal experience leads one nowhere. So while one may amass considerable information about Yoga by reading or learning it, the real achievement of Yoga evades him.

The reason for all this is that none is prepared to undertake the study of Yoga according to the requisites of Yoga (Adhikara) while at the same time anticipating the results ascribed to Yoga.

Unless one is willing to subscribe to the requirements for the study of Yoga and adopt the same into his day-to-day life, there is no chance of success by the mere mechanical study of Yoga, it does not matter how much he knows.

Therefore, the net result which should be regarded as normal is disappointment for many who search for Yoga but fail to achieve it. For this, they have only themselves to blame!
Shri Yogendra

This article was published in Yoga & Total Health (October 2012) - the monthly magazine of The Yoga Institute.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Isn’t It !? (A Yoga Poem) by Jo McParland

Isn’t It !?

Ignite the fires,
Strike up the band,
Cleansing all thoughts,
May I now stand?

In bright sunshine,
Or through waters clear,
Free from pain,
Of doubt or fear.

Let no shadow be cast,
Nor dullness grow,
From deep within,
Small seeds I sow.

The path leads on,
How it calls to me,
Poised to follow,
A dream set free.

Here in this moment,
Less the future and past,
I acknowledge all failings,
And release them at last,

Unchained from deep anguish,
How it tour at my soul,
No bindings or shackles,
Whole again I unfurl.

As onward I journey,
Baggage I leave well behind,
Stepping out from the darkness,
To myself... I shall find.

JoMcP Nov 2012

"This Poem is dedicated to the Chiang Mai Yoga Teacher Training group of November 2012. It is a thank you to Daniel and Jeenal for their time, effort and encouragement throughout the training. It is also dedicated to the Yoga Institute in Mumbai, without which none of us would be on this particular path. Thank you all for making my time with you so special. Namaste!"

JoMcP

--/--

Jo McParland from North Ireland, UK has completed successfully her 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training Course, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Wise Living Yoga Academy, in November 2012.

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2013:


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Are you fit enough to save your life?

Fitness is not just getting yourself a gym membership. Fitness is achieved when body, mind and soul are all well integrated. And Yoga is the only answer and solution. So before your body and mind starts to wither and give up make Yoga your lifelong companion.
By Jeenal Mehta – Yoga Educator
Article published in magazine Life Positive in 11/2008

When your body starts to get regular aches and pains, when your mind gets in a habit of accumulating negativity and stress and you no more feel energetic, joyful and healthy, then you are running towards danger. Danger of falling in prey of diseases that traps your life in this vicious cycle. If your body is showing symptoms of fatigue, reduced memory, uncontrolled obesity or mental imbalance or any other such ill signs then you should soon question yourself. Are you fit enough to save your life? The fact is that constant strain and stress can damage the biological system considerably and affect the efficiency in normal dealings of life.

Modern man perceives fitness as sweating out at the gym and even after adopting such practices, he yet continues to suffer from health problems without attaining any results. The reason to this is that a human is a combination of mental, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual aspects. Just training the physical level will not bring harmony at other levels. A human needs to be treated at all levels. Yoga stands as a solution to this major human life problem.


According to Yoga, health is a state of the organism that brings in a feeling of harmony, efficiency in work, ability to meet an emergency situation calmly, ability to arrive at appropriate decisions quickly and, above all, longevity. Yoga emphasizes on training our minds, thoughts, emotions, actions and speech.

When a man is faced with normal daily activities, he often responds with stress and negative emotions. While eating, sleeping, talking or driving a car he faces a lot of stress that makes the heart, lungs and ductless glands work faster than their normal rate of work, and the activity of the stomach and intestines is suspended. Further more the assimilation process is disturbed and gradually our energy reserves are wasted and thrown away. Harmony of the working forces within the organism gets disturbed.

 
But when Yoga is applied to day-today living, it creates a positive environment both internally and externally bringing growth and nourishment. Yoga philosophy and its code of conduct (Yamas and Niyamas) and techniques such as Asanas and Pranayamas lead to an uplift of one's personality. This automatically leads to controlled behaviour, emotional balance and a healthy body. Yamas and Niyamas bring discipline and joy and further the Asanas and Pranayamas develop a strong immune system. Overall the yogic practices emphasizes on training of mind and senses. Yoga will help you to cope up with life's emergencies, big or small, whether it's running to the airport or fleeing a burning building with a balanced state of mind and healthy emotions. With an increasing amount in suicides and crime, it shows that man is not equipped with a fit mind. It’s Yoga that will bring in a sense of responsibility and duty.

After all fitness is not just getting yourself a gym membership. Fitness is achieved when body, mind and soul are all well integrated. And Yoga is the only answer and solution. So before your body and mind starts to wither and give up make Yoga your lifelong companion.

Namaskar! Om Shanti!

Jeenal Mehta & Daniel Fonseca, co-founders of Wise Living Yoga Academy which is authorized to impart Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the tradition of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India – the world’s oldest organized Yoga Institution. The residential programs are held regularly in Bali (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) & Minas Gerais (Brazil) throughout the year and are accredited by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hours level, allowing the graduates to teach Yoga in any part of the world.
Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2012/2013:


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Yogi in Sangita Dhvani - by Shri Yogendra

The later Shri Yogendra, founder of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz was also a poet. Under the pen-name Masta Mani he wrote many poems and melodiously expresses positive philosophy like in The Yogi:


Mani Haribhai Desai became Shri Yogendra
after receiving traditional training in Yoga
from Paramahamsa Madhavadasaji
at Malsar, Gujarat, India.

The banyan roots grace
A pitched dark night,
And the solitary desolate place
Is devoid of light.

But from somewhere a song arose
Like feeble lunar glow,
Round the faint dhuni, a Yogi froze
Into a mystic smiling overflow.

In his lap a lute he played,
His fingers moved on strings
And well engrossed thus he stayed,
Experiencing a mystic musing.

The voice arose the joy to keep,
His ears sensed a thrill
He stayed in this divine sleep
Ending all his worldly ills.



As transcribed in the book The Householder Yogi. Life of Shri Yogendra by Santan Rodrigues and published by The Yoga Institute of Santracruz, Mumbai - India (1st Ed - 1982) 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

3rd International Yoga Seminar 2012



Dear Yoga Friends & Enthusiasts,

Daniel Fonseca & Jeenal Mehta will be soon leaving to Ujjain for taking part in the 3rd International Yoga Seminar organized by Ujjain Yoga Life Society

This Seminar on Yoga will focus on the scientific knowledge of Yoga and offer various opportunities for a structured dialogue on the major issues facing 'Yoga as a treatment tool'. A variety of sessions from abstract-driven presentations to symposia, workshops, bridging sessions and plenary sessions will meet the needs of various participants from diverse fields. Other related activities including the special talks on various newly invented aspects of Yoga, meetings of Yoga experts of East and West, poster presentations and cultural events, will contribute to an overall exceptional opportunity towards the better understanding Yoga  for  physical, mental, emotional, moral and spiritual health. This event will be a perfect networking opportunity for Medical Professionals and Alternative Therapy Professionals on one platform.

We also would like to mention that this unique Seminar is also committed to environmental protection, and for that reason is not using paper in the whole event. All the procedures shall be completed online in softcopies. Instead of Souvenir Books there will be a link to download Souvenir, which will also be containing abstracts of all the presentations and shall be mailed to all the participants. Only participation cetificate shall be provided using paper.

SEMINAR PROGRAM

The Yoga Seminar Program seeks to promote scientific excellence and inquiry in Yoga, to foster multi-sectoral dialogue and constructive debate, and to reinforce accountability amongst all stakeholders. Sessions will focus on the latest research and development in Yoga and health issues. The Seminar will feature abstract-driven sessions, a variety of symposia sessions, and special sessions on the new era in Yoga in India and abroad.

DANIEL FONSECA will be participating in the Technical Session-II in Hall A on the 13th Oct at 13:00 presenting the paper: 

'EDUCATION OF THE PHYSICAL FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE MIND' 

JEENAL MEHTA will be participating in the Technical Session-VI in Hall A on the 14th Oct at 11:45 presenting the paper:

 'YOGA FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH & EMPOWERMENT'

Jeenal Mehta & Daniel Fonseca
Co-founders of Wise Living Yoga Academy

Other Highlights of this seminar are:
  • Workshops on Yoga Therapy, Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Ashtanga-Vinyasa, Yajna Therapy and Meditation
  • Lectures of Great Masters
  • Research Paper Presentations
  • Cultural Programmes
  • Awards for best paper presenters
  • Sattvik & Naturopathy Food Court
  • Exhibitions of Yoga Pictures, Books, Music, Yoga Assemblies etc

ABOUT UJJAIN

Ujjain
(also known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantikapuri) is an ancient city of the Malwa region in Central India, which lies on the eastern bank of the Shipra River, and is today part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. 
In ancient times the city was called Ujjayini. As mentioned in the Mahabharata epic, Ujjayini was the capital of the Avanti Kingdom, and has been the Prime Meridian for Hindu geographers since the 4th century BCE.

Ujjain is one of the seven (7) sacred cities (Sapta Puri) of the Hindus, and the Kumbh Mela religious festival is held there every 12 years. It is also home to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines to Lord Shiva, and is also the place where Lord Krishna got his education from his guru Maharshi Sandipani.

For more information about this International Seminar in Ujjain please visit the website: http://www.yogalife.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=60

Namaskar! Om Shanti!


--/--

Jeenal Mehta & Daniel Fonseca, co-founders of Wise Living Yoga Academy which is authorized to impart Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the tradition of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India – the world’s oldest organized Yoga Institution. The residential programs are held regularly in Bali (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) & Minas Gerais (Brazil) throughout the year and are accredited by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hours level, allowing the graduates to teach Yoga in any part of the world.

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2012/2013:



Saturday, September 22, 2012

Announcing Yoga Teacher Training 200 hrs Nov 2012 to Dec 2012 - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Dear Yoga Aspirants,

This year of 2012 was filled with Yoga. After conducting various Yoga Teacher Traning programs in Bali - Indonesia, Minas Gerais - Brazil and Chiang Mai - Thailand we have arrived closer to the last quater of the year.

And, we are now announcing the last Yoga Teacher Training Program of the year in this November. The program starts from 4th Nov 2012 and ends on 1st Dec 2012.

Please have a look at the video and photos of the last Yoga courses held in June 2012 and July 2012 and other details related to accomodation and course information.


Yoga students and Jeenal during
Yoga conceptual activity class, July 2012 batch
Yoga Trainees practing Kriyas (Detoxification techniques)

During meals!

Anatomy class

Graduation day!

Have a look at the the photo albums by clicking below:


You can see the video of Yoga Teacher
Training June 2012 below:

Please see the photos of the venue of the course below:









Early bird discount for November 2012 is available. For more info please read below:

Post by: Jeenal Mehta & Daniel Fonseca, co-founders of Wise Living Yoga Academy which is authorized to impart Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the tradition of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India – the world’s oldest organized Yoga Institution. The residential programs are held regularly in Bali (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) & Minas Gearais (Brazil) throughout the year and are accredited by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hours level, allowing the graduates to teach Yoga in any part of the world.

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2012/2013:





We are a school which follows a genuine Yoga lineage which upholds the traditional values of Yoga. No self-proclaimed gurus & too many mixture and fusions of “Yoga styles”.

The students will learn : Asanas, Pranayamas, Yoga philosophy, Samkhya - Metaphysics of Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Phisiology and Anatomy, Kriyas - Detoxification techniques besides Yoga Methodology and Teaching Practice to improve thier teaching skills. And to go along are weekly assignments, group projects and presentations. The program is a full immersion experience, that should enable one to live a yogic and holistic lifestyle which means, it is a residential course, following a well structured routine including healthy diet arrangements and encouraging a meditative mood. Further, it includes a serious study of traditional Yoga texts like "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" and "Bhagavad Gita".





OM SHANTI!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

World Householders’ Yoga Convention



World Householders’ Yoga Convention
25th & 26th December 2012

The Yoga Institute of Santacruz, Mumbai, India - The Oldest Organized Yoga Center in the World completes 94 years of existence on 25th December, 2012. Celebrating this auspicious occasion, we cordially invite you to the World Householders' Yoga Convention 2012.


EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS: 

EXHIBITION: Learn about the pioneering research done by The Yoga Institute in Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Indology and Yoga Education through a wonderful Exhibition also showcasing different aspects of Yoga.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS: Various important applications of The Yoga Way of Life will be discussed in enlightening Panel Discussions including leading personalities in fields of Medicine, Education, Corporate, Media, etc.

EXPERIENCE: The physical as well as the subtle (mental, emotional and spiritual ) effects of Yoga.  Feel true relaxation of body and mind and learn how Simple Yoga Practices help to gain clarity of mind and strength of character.


So join us in celebrating the ancient wisdom and science of Yoga passed on to us by our forefathers.


Venue: The Yoga Institute, Yogendra Marg, Prabhat Colony, Santacruz East, Mumbai 400 055, India.
Dates: 25th & 26th December 2012
Time: Between 8:00am to 8:00 pm

Contact for more information:
Email: info@theyogainstitute.org
Or call: 022-26122185 / 022-26110506

Watch out for more updates of the event on the blog: http://theyogainstitutemumbai.blogspot.in

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Yogic Relaxation - Shavasana for Stress Management.

"A significant number young adults are showing adverse effects of stress on their physical and mental health that result in emotional disturbances, faulty eating habits and overall lifestyle disorders. Long term stress is also the cause of several diseases along with personal and family problems."

Yogic techniques for relaxation are very practical techniques to restore balance and rejuvenate the body and mind. Shavasana which is a conscious relaxation technique which is done by relaxing each and every body part, one by one, and it can be done in a time span of 20 to 40 minutes.

There are so many stressful moments that we have to face daily. Catching a flight, taking an important decision, managing the finance and with such other responsibility we often feel drained and dry. Along with these wrong eating habits, inadequate rest, faulty time management, lack of physical exercise can enhance the stress. In this way we start to accumulate negativity over a period of time. Therefore it is very important to release this negative energy on regular basis and replace it with positive energy. The reason we often feel depressed, lazy, confused and fatigue is that we haven’t learnt to relax.

The concept of relaxation is highly misunderstood. We may think that watching T.V or just lying in the couch is a form of relaxation, but it doesn’t really help you to ease and loosen your contracted muscles, neither it’s a form of a conscious relaxation that will calm down your breathing and cool down your mind. May be it can help you to some extent but when you relax with Shavasana you are actually messaging your mind to get inwards and consciously feel your body and release the stress from each and every body part.


With my own experience I can say that whenever I have given this technique to my clients, it has shown tremendous results in their health and behaviour. Serious problems like insomnia, migraine, blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and asthma have all got under control. Other complaints like headaches, muscular tension, and back pain have got cured. After Shavasana my clients have reported that they feel healthy and completely fresh and full of life. I strongly recommend this technique for all the working professional on regular basis.

In the beginning the client will need the support of the trainer for at least one month. For the beginners it is essential that the trainer gives them complete instructions verbally during the practice every time they practice Shavasana. It is normal that initially a person would not be able to relax because of the accumulated stress, but with the practice the technique will get easier.

It also possible that the person may fall asleep during the instructions, which is not the ideal. This can happen a few times when the person has not completed his sleep. But with gradual practice, a person will start to feel more and more calm, confident, happier and relaxed. This will bring a positive change in the personality and increase memory, concentration, decision power and emotional stability. Erratic eating habits, anger, fear and other negative traits will also get under controlled. It can also be easily done at office premises after lunch or at the end of the day!



Post by: Jeenal Mehta & Daniel Fonseca, co-founders of Wise Living Yoga Academy which is authorized to impart Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the tradition of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India – the world’s oldest organized Yoga Institution. The residential programs are held regularly in Bali (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) & Minas Gearais (Brazil) throughout the year and are accredited by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hours level, allowing the graduates to teach Yoga in any part of the world.

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2012/2013:

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Going Back to.. Traditional Yoga

Millions of people head towards Asia every year to have (besides the travelling experience) an encounter with eastern philosophies and practices which allows for self-healing, self-discovery and self-empowerment. Among alternative medicine systems, therapies, and many other technical systems (including massage, martial arts, dances, etc, etc) one of the famous and inspiring subjects that attract people to Asia is Yoga.


Although most people think, or like to think, of Yoga as a physical system, in reality it is an ancient and traditional system of Indian Philosophy and Disciplines that emphasizes on a holistic way of living which allows for a deep transformation, awareness and positive changes, not only on the physical, but also on the mental, social and spiritual planes of the human personality.


Traditionally, Asanas (postural training) is only one part of Yoga. Certain sets of conduct regulations (Yamas) and observances (Niyamas) throughout one’s own life form the very foundation of Yoga. Only then follows Asanas. The next step being control of bio-energy through breathing techniques (Pranayamas). Eventually withdrawal of senses (Pratyahara) will be achieved. Following stages are concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana) and finally leading to total absorption in pure consciousness state (Samadhi). This is the goal of Yoga.


The stages described above are known as the “Eight-fold Path of Yoga” and the understanding of these disciplines and the systematic implementation of them in one’s own life is what is meant by “Classical Yoga”. The problem is that Yoga is becoming too much commercial and many teacher and so called “Yogis” have very little or no understanding of the Yoga path in its entirety.



Yoga has become just a matter of performing some “stunt moves” on a rubber mat. But, the truth is that, even for the physical training, if the right attitude and feelings are not present then the Yoga exercises will be just like any other exercise. It will, of course, bring benefits to the practitioner, but that will be only partial, not the real life transforming experience that one may be looking for. As we have seen, more and more, people are realizing this, and there is somehow, a search and an interest for going back to Traditional Yoga.


The first question is: where to go to learn Traditional Yoga? The most obvious answer would be: “India”. But nowadays even in India, commercial Yoga has taken over, and you can meet with either a good or a bad teacher or school, in India, or in any other Asian country. Literally thousands of workshops, retreats and teacher training courses are being offered throughout South East Asia, in countries like Thailand. And for one desiring to have an authentic Yoga experience (instead of just learning some acrobatic postures here and there) a good amount of research is necessary, before choosing a teacher or a course.


And which type of course? Well, the best way to absorb Yoga is to make it a part of one’s own life and then sharing it with others and teaching. That’s why more and more people are looking for Yoga Teacher Training Courses, because, besides being provided with the learning experience, at the end, one can be qualified and certified as a Yoga Teacher.

For this kind of program, the advice would be:

First, one should not undertake such a program only with the certification in mind, but to take it with a sincere interest in self-development and motivated by an altruistic desire to help one and others. Second, luxurious retreats usually divert the focus from the Yoga objectives, not serving the real purpose of simple, ecological and modest lifestyle which is in the core of Yoga. Then, choosing a school which follows a genuine Yoga lineage which upholds the traditional values of Yoga. Be aware of self-proclaimed gurus & too many mixture and fusions of “Yoga styles”.

Finally, if the program is a full immersion experience, that should enable one to live a yogic and holistic lifestyle which means, having a residential course, following a well structured routine including healthy diet arrangements and encouraging a meditative mood. Further, it should include a serious study of traditional Yoga texts like “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” and “Bhagavad Gita”. Practice and theory should go hand in hand. Of course the curriculum should also include anatomy & physiology classes, methodology and teaching practice.


But one thing is for sure, a Yoga course, especially if it’s a Teacher Training, which only teaches Asanas, and does not encourage a yogic lifestyle (having a good routine, vegetarian diet, abstaining from intoxicants - for at least 1 month period) and does not include the study of the Yoga philosophy, is certainly not imparting authentic Yoga. In here I would quote Leonardo da Vinci who said:

He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.

So, if you are travelling throughout South East Asia don’t miss the opportunity to find a good Yoga course and perhaps even return home certified and a Yoga Teacher.


This article was written, to be published at the South East Asia Backpacker Magazine, by Jeenal Mehta & Daniel Fonseca, co-founders of Wise Living Yoga Academy which is authorized to impart Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the tradition of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India – the world’s oldest organized Yoga Institution. The residential programs are held regularly in Bali (Indonesia) & Chiang Mai (Thailand) throughout the year and are accredited by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hours level, allowing the graduates to teach Yoga in any part of the world.

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2012/2013: